Elastic fluid conditioning apparatus



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ELASTIC FLUID CONITIONING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1944' cooL Ea SPA c sc 00L ER /g CO/VB (Aff/0N CHA MBE mom/W5 Patented st. 8, 1946 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Joseph L. Singleton, Wauwatosa, Wis., assignor toAllis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company,

Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application August 26, 1944,Serial No. 551,370

i4 Claims.

This invention relates to gas conditioning and more particularly toapparatus for cooling and/or heating combustion supporting elasticfluids by the successive compression and expansion thereof.

In this connection, theknown apparatus for so treating elastic fluidsembodies one or more compressors, a cooler, an expanding engine, and aprime mover; the expanding engine and prime mover being both drivinglyconnected with the gas compressing means. All of the compressed fluidpasses successively through the cooler and expanding engine whichnecessitates either ernploying a self operative internal combustionengine type of prime mover or a separate power source if a turbine or anelectric motor type of prime mover is employed. In either case, theinitial and operating costs of such apparatus, particularly whendesigned for producing large quantities of cooled and/or heated lowpressure fluid, are objectionably high, and in some instances, the spacerequired for its installation and operation is also objectionable.

It is therefore the primary object of this in- 25 2, by means of acommon shaftv I9 to one end of vention to provide a-self operative,simplified apparatus for eiiiciently cooling and/or heating largequantities of low pressure combustion Supporting elastic fluid.

The construction and operation of apparatus in accordance with thisinvention and the advantages afforded thereby will become readilyapparent as the disclosure progresses and particu larly points outfeatures which are considered of special importance and applicable toapparatus other and different from that herein shown and described forpurposes of illustration.

Accordingly the invention may be considered as consisting of variouscorrelations of elements and arrangement of parts as is more fully setforth in the detailed description and in the appended claims, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine system embodying theinvention; and

Fig. Z schematically illustrates still another gas turbine systemembodying the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, it is seen that apparatus embodyingthe invention may be utilized for purposes of illustration, to delivercool air to a room, building, or other air confining space I and thatsuch apparatus may include a compressor 2, a, pair of gas turbines 3 and4 drivingly connected with compressor 2, a combustion suitable source(not shown) through a valve controlled pipe 6, and a cooler l.

Compressor 2 has its inlet connected with space l by means of a valvecontrolled conduit 8 and with the atmosphere by means of a valvecontrolled branch conduit 9. A major portion of the air discharged fromcompressor 2 is delivered to combustion chamber 5 by means of a conduitil while the remainder of the air dis- 10 charged from compressor 2 isdelivered to the inturbine 4 is connected with space I by means of aconduit ifi and with conduit 8 by means of a valve controlled crossoverconduit I6. A conduit il conducts the motive fluid generated incombustion chamber 5 to the inlet of turbine 3 which may exhaust toatmosphere through a conduit I8.

The fluid expanding prime movers, in this case the turbines 3 and Il,are preferably drivingly connected with a compressing means, compressorwhich may be connected a suitable starting device Or engine 2l. Instarting, device 2l is operated until the compressing and fluidexpanding elements attain a predetermined speed Where- 39 upon thesystem is rendered self operative by combusting fuel in the air or otherelastic fluid delivered to one of the fluid expanding elements, in thiscase, the turbine 3; the speed of the compressing and fluid expandingelements and the quantity of elastic fluid compressed and severallydelivered to such elements being readily varied to meet operatingrequirements by regulating fuel input, in this case, the quantity offuel supplied to combustion chamber 5.

40 The temperature of that portion of the compressed air flowing throughbranch conduit l2` is preferably initially reduced in cooler l and thenfurther reduced to the desired extent by expansion in turbine il.However, the valve in bypass conduit Hl may be selectively positioned asdesired. The cold or cool air discharged from turbine 4 flows throughpipe i4 into space I and/ or into conduit 8 depending upon the settingof the valve in crossover conduit I5. Space i is preferably providedVWith a valve controlled discharge conduit 22 and all or a portion of theair entering such space may be discharged to atmosphere depending uponthe setting of the valves in conduits 8 and 22. In any case, the

chamber 5 to which fluid fuel is supplied from a 55 desired amount ofcombustion make-up air 3 can be readily obtained by adjusting the valvein branch conduit 9. Consequently, compressor 2 may draw air from theatmosphere, and cold air from conduit I4, if only a portion of the airdischarged from turbine 4 is to be delivered to space I, to compensatefor the quantity of air which leaks or is otherwise discharged from suchspace.

The system shown in Fig. 1 may be modified, for example as shown in Fig.2 in which like numerals are applied to the same or corresponding parts,to deliver either heated or cooled air to space I; such a modicationcomprising incorporating a valve 23 in conduit I2, incorporating aclutch or the like 24 in the portion of' shaft i9 connecting compressor2 with turbine 4, providing exhaust conduit I8 of turbine 3 with a heatexchanging portion 26, providing conduit I I with a heat exchangingportion 21 operatively associated with the portion 23 of exhaust conduitI8, and providing compressor 2,' with a low pressure discharge conduit28 which communicates with space I and includes a control valve 29, aheat exchanging portion 3l operatively associated with the portion 23 ofexhaust conduit 8, and a valve controlled bypass portion 32 for varyingthe quantity of low pressure air flowing through heat exchanging portion3I. The cooler bypass portion IEl of conduit I2 has been omitted in theinterest of simplicity.

This modiied system may be operated to deliver cold or cool air to thespace I in substantially the same manner as described with respect tothe system of Fig. 1 simply by engaging clutch 24 and maintaining valve23 open and valve 28 closed; the combustion supporting portion of theair discharged from compressor 2 being regeneratively heated by theassociated heat exchanging portions 26 and 2 of conduits I8 and II,respectively. However, when it is desired to deliver heated air to spaceI, all that has to be done is to close valves I 6 and 23, disengageclutch 24, and open valve 29 whereupon low pressure air, that is aircompressed to a much lower pressure than that utilized in the turbines 3and 4, flows through conduit 28 and into space I If the air enteringspace I is insuiiiciently heated and/or dried by the compressionthereof, a greater degree of` heating and/or drying may be readilyeffected by closing or partially closing the valve in bypass conduit 32.Whether compressor 2 withdraws any air or gas from space I is of coursedependent upon the positions of the valves in conduits 8, i6 and 22. Ifdesired, conduit I4 may also be provided with a valve 33 which should beclosed when the system is operated to deliver heated air to space I.

When operating the system of Fig. 2 to deliver cooled air to the space Ias previously indicated, air enters the compressor 2 through pipe 8which may communicate with the space I, or with the atmospherey and/orwith conduit I4 depending upon the positions of the valves in conduits8, 9 and I6, and after being compressed, a portion cf the air owsthrough pipe I2 including the heat exchanging portion I3 thereofdisposed in cooler "I, through the turbine 4 wherein it is expanded andthus further cooled, and through pipe I4 to the space I. The remainderof the compressed air ows through pipe II including the heat exchangingportion 21 thereof, through combustion chamber wherein fuel is burnedtherein thus producing highly heated motive fluid comprising products ofcombustion and possibly excess air, through conduit I'I, through theturbine 3, and then through conduit I 8; including the heat exchangingportion 26, to atmosphere.

However, when operating the system of Fig. 2 to deliver heated air tothe space I, air enters the compressor 2 through pipe 8 which maycommunicate with another space I and/or with the atmosphere dependingupon the positions of conduits 8 and 9, and after being partiallycompressed, soine of the low pressure air is discharged Ithrough conduit28 while the remainder 0I" the air is further compressed and passesthrough combustion chamber 5, conduit I'I, turbine 3 and conduit IS toatmosphere in exactly the same manner as described in connection withthe operation of the system to deliver cool air to the space I. The lowpressure air entering conduit 28 may iiow, depending upon the setting ofvalve 32, either wholly or in part through the heat exchanging andbypass portions 3l and 32, respectively, of conduit 28, and then intothe space I.

Both systems are adapted to be compactly arranged thereby minimizingspace requirements and while it is preferable to operate the systems ofFigs. l and 2 with the various valves positioned as herein indicated, itshould be understood that the number and arrangement of the valves,whether manual or automatic, and of other parts may be varied andselectively operated as desired, that although systems embodying theinvention are particularly adapted to deliver large quantities of cooledand/or heated air or other combust-ion supporting elastic uid to one ormore spaces in which such fluid is wholly or partially utilized, certainfeatures and/or correlations thereof are of more general application,and that therefore it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactdetails of construction and correlations of elements herein shown anddescribed for purposes of illustration as various modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in theart.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A self operative power unit for cooling and delivering largequantities of air or other combustion supporting elastic fluid into auid confining space comprising means for compressing a combustionsupporting elastic iiuid, a plurality of fluid expanding prime moversdrivingly connected with said compressing means, uid conductorsseverally connecting the inlets of said prime movers with the dischargeof said compressing means, a fuel combusting means forming at least apart of one of said conductors and disposed in upstream relation withrespect to the inlet of the prime mover connected thereto, means forcooling the fluid ilowing through another one of said conductors priorto its entering the inlet of the prime mover connected thereto, andconduit means connecting the exhaust of the prime mover receivingcompressed uid through another one of said conductors with a uidconfining space to be cooled.

2. A self operative power unit for cooling and delivering largequantities of air or other combustion supporting elastic fluid into ailuid' conning space comprising means for compressing a combinationsupporting elastic uid, a plurality of gasturbines drivingly connectedwith said compressing means, fluid conductors severally connect-ing theinlets of said turbines with the discharge of said compressing means, afuel combusting means forming at least a part of one of said conductors,means for cooling the iiuid nowing through at least another oneof saidconductors, and conduit means connecting the exhaust -necting the inletsof said turbines with the discharge of said compressing means, a fuelcombusting means forming at least a part of the conductor connecting thedischarge of said compressing means with the inlet of one of saidturbines, means for cooling the fluid flowing through the conductorconnecting the discharge of said compressing means with the inlet ofanother one of said turbines, conduit means for coniining and conductingthe exhaust from said other turbine to a fluid confining space valvecontrolled conduit for placing the inlet of said compressing means incommunication with said conduit means.

e. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities of cooledair or other combustion supporting elastic fluid to a gas confiningspace comprising a gas compressing means having an inlet connected withsaid space, a plurality of gas turbines drivingly connected with saidcompressing means, iiuid conductors severally connecting the inlets ofsaid turbines with the discharge of said compressing means, a fuelcombusting means forming at least a part of the conductor connecting thedischarge of the compresscr with the inlet of one of said turbines,means for selectively cooling the gas flowing through the conductorconnecting the discharge of said compressing means with the inlet toanother one of said turbines, a nrst conduit connecting the exhaust ofsaid other turbine with said space, and a valve controlled secondconduit connecting the inlet of said compressing means w'th said firstconduit. s

5. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities of cooledand/or heated combustion supporting elastic liuid to a confining spacecomprising an elastic fluid compressing means operative to dischargeseparate low and high pressure fluid streams, a lplurality of fluidexpanding prime movers drivingly connected with said compressing meansand severally receiving high pressure fluid discharged therefrom, meansfor selectively conducting fluid exhausting from one of said primemovers and low pressure fluid discharged from said compressing meansinto said space while continuing to deliver high pressure fluid fromsaid compressor to another one of said prime movers, and means forcombusting fuel in the stream of high pressure uid being delivered tosaid other prime mover.

6. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities of cooledand/or heated combustion supporting elastic fluid to a confining spacecomprising an elastic liuid compressing means operative to dischargeseparate low and high pressure fluid streams, a plurality of fluidexpanding prime movers drivingly connected with said compressing meansand severally receiving high pressure fluid discharged therefrom, meansfor selectively conducting fluid exhausting from one of said primemovers and .low pressure fluid discharged from said compressing meansinto said space while continuing to deliver high pressure fluid fromsaid compressing to be cooled, and a vlarge means Ato another one ofYsaid prime movers, means for combusting fuel in the stream of highpressure fluid being delivered to said other prime mover and means forterminating the flow of high pressure to said one prime mover and thedriving connection between such prime mover and said compressing meanswhenever low pressure liuid is being delivered to said space.

7. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities of cooledand/or heated combustion supporting elastic fluid to a confining spacecomprising an elastic fluid compressing means operative to dischargeseparate low and high pressure fluid streams, a plurality of fluidexpanding prime movers drivingly connected with said compressing meansand severallytreceiving high pressure uid discharged therefrom, meansfor selectively conducting fluid exhausting from one of said primemovers and low pressure fluid discharged from said compressing meansinto said space while continuing to deliver high pressure fluid fromsaid compressing means to another one of said prime movers, means forcombusting fuel in the stream of high pressure fluid being delivered tosaid other prime mover, andmeans in addition to said compressing meansfor heating the low pressure fluid being delivered to said space. Y

8. A self operative power unit for delivering quantities of heatedcombustion supporting elastic iiuid to a confining space comprising anelastic fluid compressing means operative to discharge separate low andhigh pressure fluid streams, a uid expanding prime mover drivinglyconnected with said compressing means and receiving high pressure fluiddischarged thererom, means for combusting fuel in the stream of highpressure fluid delivered to said prime mover, and means including partsdisposed in heat exchanging relation with respect to the fluidexhausting from said prime mover for heating and conducting low pressureiiuid discharged from said compressing means into said space.

9, A self operative power unit for delivering large Vquantities ofcooled and/or heated air or other combustion supporting elastic fluid toa confining space comprising an elastic fluid compressing means havinghigh and low pressure outlets, a plurality of gas turbines drivinglyconnectedv with said compressing means, fluid conductors severallyconnecting the inlets of said lturbines with the high pressure outlet ofsaid compressing means, means for combusting fuel in the high pressurefluid being delivered to one of said turbines, a first conduitconnecting the exhaust of another one of said turbines, with said space,a valve controlled second conduit connecting the inlet of saidcompressing means with said rst conduit, and a valve controlled thirdconduit connecting the low pressure outlet of said compressing meanswith said space.

10. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities ofcooled and/or heated air or other combustion supporting elastic liuid toa gas confining space comprising an elastic fluid compressing meanshaving high and low pressure outlets, a plurality of gas turbinesdrivingly connected with said compressing means, fluid conductorsseverally connecting the inlets of said turbines with the high pressureoutlet of said compressing means, means for combusting fuel in the highpressure fluid being delivered to one of said turbines, means forcooling the gas flowing through the conductor connected with another oneof said turbines, a first conduit connecting the exhaust of said otherturbine with said Space, a valve controlled second conduit connectingtheinletv of said compressing means with said first conduit, a valvecontrolled third conduit connecting the low pressure outlet of saidcompressing means with said space, and means for variably heating thelow pressure uid flowing through said third conduit.

ll. A self Voperative power unit for delivering large quantities ofcooled and/or heated air or other combustion supporting elastic uid to agas confining space comprising an elastic fluid compressing means havinghigh and low pressure outlets, a plurality' of gas turbines drivinglyconnected with said compressing means, fluid conductors severallyconnecting the inlets of said turbines with the high pressure outlet ofsaid compressing means, means for combusting fuel in the high pressurefluid being delivered to one of said turbines, a first conduitconnecting the exhaust of another one of said turbines with said space,a valve controlled second conduit connecting the inlet of saidcompressing means with said first conduit, a valve controlled thirdconduit connecting the low pressure outlet of said compressing meanswith said space, means for variably heating the low pressure fluid owingthrough said third conduit, and means for terminating the now of highpressure fluid to said other turbine and the driving connection betweensuch turbine and said compressing means whenever low pressure fluid isbeing delivered to said space.

12. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities ofcooled 'and/or heated air or other combustion supporting elastic iiuidto a gas conninfI space comprising an elastic fluid compressing meanshaving high and low pressure outlets, a plurality of gas turbinesdrivingly connected with said' compressing means, fluid conductorsseverally connecting the inlets of said turbines with the high pressureoutlet of said compressing means, means for combusting fuel in the highpressure fluid being delivered to one of said turbines, a rst conduitconnecting the exhaust of another one of said turbines with said space,a valve controlled second conduit connecting the inlet of saidcompressing means with said first conduit, a valve controlled thirdconduit connecting the low pressure outlet of said com.. pressing meanswith said space, said third conduit including a portion heated by gas atleast partially expanded in said one turbine, and means 'for terminatingthe flow of high pressure fluid to saidl other turbine and theV drivingconnection between such turbine and. said compressing means Whenever lowpressure fluid is being deliveredrto said space.

13. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities ofcooled and/or heated combustion'supporting elastic iiuid to a coniiningspace comprising an elastic uid compressing means operative to dischargeseparate low and high pressure uid streams, a plurality of fluidexpanding prime movers drivingly connected with said compressing meansand severally receiving high pressure fluid discharged therefrom, meansfor selectively conducting fluid exhausting from one of said primemovers and low pressure uid discharged from said compressing means intosaidl space while continuing tov deliver high pressure fluid from saidcompressor to another one of said prime movers, and means for combustingfuel in the stream of high pressure iiuid being delivered to said otherprime mover, said means for selectively conducting the uid exhaustingfrom said one prime mover and low pressure fluid from said compressingmeans including a low pressure fluid confining part disposed in heatexchanging relation with respect to the iiuid exhausting from said otherprime mover. g

14. A self operative power unit for delivering large quantities ofcooled and/ or heated combustion supporting elastic huid to a confiningspace comprising an elastic fluid compressing means operative todischarge separate low and high pressure iluid streams, a plurality offluid expanding prime movers drivingly connected with said compressingmeans and severally receiving high pressure fluid discharged therefrom,means for selectively conducting fluid exhausting from one of said primemovers and low pressure iiuid discharged from said compressing meansinto said4 space while continuing to deliver high pressure huid fromsaid compressor to another one of said prime movers, and means forcombusting fuel in the stream of high pressure iiuid being delivered toanother prime mover and means in addition to said compressing means andincludingV parts disposed in heat exchanging relation with respect tothe fluid exhausting from said other prime mover for heating the lowpressure uid being delivered to said space.

JOSEPH L. SINGLETON.

